Marvelous Monday Update 2/14/2011

TALE OF TWO TREES
A few weeks ago, I learned that Improvements put ornament trees on sale for half price. They come in three sizes and two colors - gold or black.

I decided to go for the 40" one in black so I could leave it up year round if I wanted. The best part? If you sign up for their catalog, you get 15% off your order :)

So for less than $13 including shipping, my ornament tree arrived... ready to be assembled. After untwisting what seemed like a zillion twist-ties that held the parts to a piece of cardboard, I was ready to check out the assembly instructions. I'm sure the men out there are thinking or verbalizing: "Instructions? Pfftt! Who needs instructions?!" Let me say I didn't get past Step One...

You ask, "Why?" The base pieces fit together nicely, but when I tried to put the bottom pole through the hole in the base, it wouldn't slide through! Apparently, some chinese man (or woman) was in a hurry and over-welded the legs to the circular bracket, and the resulting spillage made the hole a tiny bit too small for the rod.

Being it was 7pm, I went out on a limb and called the customer service number. *Gasp* A live person answered within 2 minutes! After I regained consciousness, I explained the issue. The lady was very empathetic, and concerned that I not poke an eye out trying to force the pole into the hole. Yes, she actually was concerned about me hurting myself, lol. After we chatted about the dangers of impaling metal into body parts, she told me they would send out another tree immediately and that I didn't have to return the one I had -- since they obviously couldn't re-sell it.

So in a week or so, I should have myself a new ornament tree... hopefully welded correctly. This was the first time I've ever ordered from this company. Talk about great customer service!


BELATED BIRTHDAY GOODIES

Card and floss from
the CSE Birthday Floss Club
I've been a follower of Jenna's blog (Tale of a Shooting Star) for years. She's been on a finishing frenzy since the beginning of the year. You should see her stuff... Beautiful! When I saw that she stitched and finished Lorri Birmingham's Crystal Pink Pincushion, I asked if she would be willing to trade the chart. She was down with that, and said she'd send me a chart. Then I could decide how much it was worth for the trade. When I received it, there was a note that she saw it had been my birthday recently and that I could consider it a birthday gift. :) She even sent the beads with it! Thank you so much, Jenna.

STITCHY STUFF
My latest progress on Blossom Splendor. I can see the middle section shaping up!


CREATIVITY OF A DIFFERENT SORT
Readers who have been my fans for any length of time are sure to know that I LOVE the handmade cards fellow stitchers have sent to me. I saw a version of this card on a website and I just had to try making one.

I didn't think it turned out too bad seeing as this is only the second card I've ever made, not counting the ones made in grade-school art class. :)